This article is about a ranger/ally in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Zeo. |
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Billy Cranston is the Blue Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Retroactively, he is also referred to as the Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger or Blue Mighty Morphin Ranger, though these are terms of address referencing the show as opposed to proper labels.
Until his departure, he was considered the brains of the Power Rangers team, creating many gadgets with which to solve problems that not even Zordon foresaw, and even invented the first team's wrist-worn communication devices (it is believed, though not proven, that he created every other communicator up until his departure from the show).
Billy Cranston was also adapted for the Papercutz comics in 2014, which function as lost episodes of the original TV show[1][2], in which he took on two new helmet formats, and the alternative canon BOOM! Studios comics, assuming the (temporary) forms Black Ranger and Green Ranger, and a prototype of combat Exosuit Blue Ranger.
History
This article contains content in reference to the main TV series, as well as supplemental material, such as the comics. A sliding/floating timeline applies. Story instances for TV and other media will be clearly marked. |
Early Life
In his youth, he was good friends with Eugene 'Skull' Skullovich, though the friendship eventually soured and became more antagonistic. He is a frequent target of Bulk and Skull's bullying. COMIC STORY- [[|]]
Becoming a Ranger
Billy was one of the five "teenagers with attitude" selected by Zordon to become the original Power Rangers, along with Jason Lee Scott, Zack Taylor, Trini Kwan, and Kimberly Hart. Billy became the Blue Mighty Morphin Power Ranger due to his intelligence and patience. He was given both the Triceratops Power Coin and the Triceratops Dinozord.
Billy began the series as the stereotypical "nerd," speaking almost exclusively in technobabble throughout Season 1. His closest friend throughout the series was Trini, to whom he could communicate most comfortably and effectively. He was initially very insecure about himself, making him an easy target for people like Bulk and Skull, who tormented him often in the beginning. The other Rangers, especially Trini, defended him loyally, and Billy later evolved to become a stronger individual. He was one of the top members of Angel Grove High's science club and often helped its younger members with their experiments. One such person was Willy, a young boy who he helped to create a virtual reality simulator for a Science Fair. In the episode "High Five", Billy not only created the communicators, but also the interface that allowed the devices remote access to the Command Center's teleportation unit. When they are not saving the world, teenagers with attitudes chosen by Zordon gather at the Angel Grove Youth Center. Trini updates Alpha 5 with the language of the year 1993. Far away, Dr. Carver and Dr. Kenyon discover a new civilization and the largest statue ever built in ancient America. Unintentionally, Dr. Carver activates the terrible cross between monster and robot that attacks the excavation site. Back at the Youth Center, Billy creates a device with internet access when everyone sees the attack on TV. In the territory of the attack, summoning the Dinozords, the Power Rangers fight against a terrible monster. Struck by the lightning of the stone giant, the Rangers lose communication with Zordon and have their pieces exchanged makes it difficult in battle. With the help of Alpha 5, the exchange effect was reversed and the Rangers, winning the battle and returning the giant to its location. COMIC STORY- Rita Repulsa's Attitude Adjustment
It was revealed that Billy was bitten by a fish in his youth during an experiment involving whirlpools, causing him to develop icthyophobia: fear of fish. This fear would persist well into his teens and Rita would use a spell to exacerbate this fear. When he was the last remaining Ranger able to contend with the Goo Fish monster, Billy overcame the spell, freeing his friends and helping tob defeat the monster. He later completely overcame the fear while on a fishing trip with Ernie, the owner of the Youth Center.
Each of Billy's teammates had a unique skill to offer the team and, in Billy's case, it was his vast intelligence. He sought out to improve himself physically, and the audience would see him transform over time from the suspenders-wearing "brain" to a confident, hyper-intelligent athlete with appreciable fighting skills, thanks in great part to Trini's Uncle Howard, Jason, and later Tommy, helped graduate Billy to the red belt level in karate. Billy and his friends in the form of Power Rangers defeat Korruptor using Dino Megazord. COMIC STORY- Going Green
Billy's intelligence would help the Rangers save the world on many occasions. When the Command Center was damaged, Zordon lost and Alpha incapacitated, it was his invention, the RADBUG that allowed the Rangers to travel to the Command Center. As a Ranger, he had a wide array of accomplishments, including creating the method by which the Ranger's would initially infiltrate Rita's Dark Dimension to disarming the lock-out mechanism for Alpha's activated self-destruct. Though Billy did manage to attract girls earlier in his "nerd-like" persona, it was after he began his journey toward self-improvement that he would garner more attention from romantic interests, to the point of getting more than the other members of the team.
Billy was accepted into the Young Scientists of America program. He befriended Zack's cousin Curtis when he became the newest student at Angel Grove High. Curtis' musical interests, particularly his interest in and skill at playing the trumpet, sparked Billy's intrigue in the rhythmic patterns of jazz music.
As tensions rise between Tommy and the rest of the team, a new enemy calling himself the Black Dragon attacked the Command Center directly. Destroying the building and Alpha 5, the group fought a losing battle against the enemy before Jason and Trini set up teleportation to a pocket dimension for safety. Just as the teleportation sequence was initiated, Billy was pulled from the ray of blue light and knocked unconscious as his friends escaped. The Black Dragon used his Power Coin to connect to the Morphing Grid and caused the other four to lose their powers. COMIC STORY- [[|]]
Trapped in the Dark Dimension, Billy finds himself in the company of Goldar whom is being punished for his failure in the aftermath of Tommy's joining of the Power Rangers. Eventually, the two are able come to an understanding and Billy is able to escape in time to help Tommy defeat the Black Dragon, which he reveals to be mechanical much like the Zords. The two unmorphed rangers destroy the power source, but find themselves trapped in its rapidly shrinking body. COMIC STORY- [[|]]
At the last moment, the two escape but find themselves in an alternate future where Tommy never joined the Power Rangers and became an evil white ranger named Lord Drakkon. Escaping from an army of Mastodon Sentries, they find the ruined remains of various Zords and the White Ranger's blade: Saba, who guides the two and explains the history of the worlds formation. Shortly after, the two come into contact with the rebellion; consisting of alternate versions of Zack, Trini, Aisha, Kat and Bulk. Reclaiming his deceased counterparts morpher and coin, Billy feigns surrender to allow Alternate Trini the chance to get close and destroy Lord Drakkon's morpher and coin with it. The rest of the rangers show up in the alternate future to rescue Billy and Tommy, where they use the remainder of the Black Dragon's power to send them all home. COMIC STORY- [[|]]
After the Black Dragon arc, Billy becomes committed to being more athletic and becomes a bit more muscular in physique. While things seem to be normal in his life, his parents are in an overprotective state given he and Tommy had to stage a ruse to explain their long absence by teleporting under some debris for rescue workers to find them. So from the perspective of Billy's mother, her son was buried alive for several days and this created the very real adult fear she could have lost her child. Billy is a little annoyed by his mom's paranoia, but Trini tries to tell him to consider her feelings. He does try to be understanding but hopes for things to be a little more normal in the future. COMIC STORY- [[|]]
Zedd's Invasion
When Lord Zedd invaded Earth after doing away with Rita, Zordon upgraded the Dinozords into the Thunderzords; Billy was given control of the Unicorn Thunderzord. When Zordon and Alpha disappeared, Billy was the one to find the secret door where they were making the White Ranger. While most of the other Rangers were disappointed in a new member suddenly joining them, Billy knew that they needed a new Ranger to help them against Zedd, regardless of who it was. However, he was happy to find that the White Ranger turned out to be former teammate Tommy Oliver. The Rangers are driving out to the desert in Billy's RADBUG so they can send Rita back into space without any civilians seeing. During the drive, Zack reveals that he has gotten a gift for his girlfriend Angela: a pair of walkie-talkies designed after characters from an old children's show she likes. Trini explains to Kimberly that people often like to collect things that remind them of what made them happy, though Kimberly can't quite understand it. As the Rangers get out of the Radbug for a breather, Zack puts the walkie-talkies in the car's trunk next to Rita's Dumpster. Up in the Moon Palace, Lord Zedd is still in disbelief that his Scarlet Sentinel has fallen. Seeing the Rangers in the desert, he gets an idea and uses his power on the Radbug. Suddenly, the car comes to life and begins attempting to ram into the Rangers while claiming that it will no longer stand for being treated like a slave. The Rangers morph and use their Power Weapons to create a ramp that flips the Radbug on its roof and immobilizes it. Zedd throws a grenade down and the Radbug grows in size, plus gains a face made from Zack's walkie-talkies (which also gives Rita a means to complain about all the hassle she's getting put through). Tommy summons the White Tigerzord to deal with the Radbug while the other Rangers form the Thunder Megazord, and he tries to stop it by climbing into the runaway vehicle and driving it with his Tigerzord at the wheel. This only serves to anger the Radbug as it turns into a bipedal monster and ejects its Zord-driving driver. The Thunder Megazord rides the White Tigerzord to catch up to the Radbug as it nears Angel Grove's city limits. Once it gets close, the Megazord jumps onto the Radbug's hood and tears its fuel line out to end the joyride.With the Radbug back to normal, Billy tends to repairs while the other Rangers prepare to send Rita on her trip. Zack also recovers his walkie-talkies, which are perfectly intact, and Kimberly admits that she'll never doubt the value of collectibles again. COMIC STORY- By Bug... Betrayed
New Friends and Teammates
One day, while rollerblading in the park with Tommy and Kimberly, Billy unexpectedly met Rocky DeSantos, Aisha Campbell, and Adam Park, and helped them stop a runaway stroller carrying a teacher's baby boy. When Zedd kidnapped the new teens, intending to change them into his own Dark Warriors, Billy, Tommy, and Kimberly set out to rescue them. Billy entered the cave where the teens were being held and grabbed the evil snake that would turn them evil. However, the snake wrapped itself around Billy's neck, and he was forced to remove his helmet to ensure he could breathe, thus revealing his identity to Rocky, Aisha, and Adam. The trio swore to keep the Rangers' secret and became friends with everyone. When Jason, Trini, and Zack were chosen to attend a peace conference in Switzerland, Billy and the Rangers had to retrieve the Sword of Light to allow the Rangers to transfer their powers. Though Billy was sad to see Jason, Trini, and Zack leave, he was happily surprised that Rocky, Aisha, and Adam would take their respective places as new Rangers.
When Kimberly fell through a time warp to the days of the Wild West, she would recruit Billy's ancestor William in the 1880s to become the first Blue Ranger when she assembles and takes command of the Wild West Rangers team in a battle against Goldar and several other time-traveling foes.
Ninja Quest
- "It's Morphin Time! Blue Ranger Power!"
- ―roll call as the Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger[src]
After the Thunderzords were destroyed by Rito Revolto, Billy and the other Rangers sought out Ninjor, the creator of the Power Coins, to give them new powers. Billy became the Blue Ninja Ranger and controlled the Blue Wolf Ninjazord. Billy used his intelligence to enable the other Rangers to control the Shogunzords and would personally control the Blue Shogunzord.
Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers
The Rangers were de-aged by a time-reversal spell performed by Rita Repulsa's father, Master Vile. Billy devised a plan to restore the Rangers' proper ages using a machine that ran off of the Power Coins. Billy restored himself, but Goldar stole the machine, and Zedd and Rita destroyed all six Coins.
With his Wolf Ninja Coin destroyed and his Triceratops Power Coin damaged beyond use, Billy's role changed. He no longer fought as a Power Ranger, and did not join the remaining active Rangers in their search for the Zeo Crystals and acted solely in an advisory and supporting role, serving as a liaison between the Alien Rangers during this period.
Zeo
Billy officially retired from active Ranger service, allowing Tanya Sloan (who was sent back in Aisha Campbell's place) to take his place as an active Ranger in the field. He continued in the support role he had adopted during the Aquitian Rangers' time on Earth, assisting Zordon Alpha 5 with tasks in the Power Chamber and creating and maintaining most of the weaponry, gadgets, and Zords the Zeo Rangers would use. He traveled briefly to Aquitar to assist the Aquitian Rangers in battling with a race of aliens called the Hydro Contaminators. To do so, he completed a prototype device that Cestro started to defeat them. Upon his return, his ship was diverted by King Mondo to fly straight into the sun. From the Power Chamber, Zordon, Alpha 5, and the Rangers were able to rescue him.
Before Trey of Triforia was revealed to be the identity of the Gold Ranger, several red herrings mislead the viewers into believing that the Gold Ranger was Billy. When Rocky confronted him with this theory, he assured the team that he would never have kept such a secret from them, and had simply been busy working on a never-specified project (most likely the development of the Turbo powers). When Trey returned to Triforia on sabbatical to try to unify his three selves, Billy was selected to assume Gold Ranger's powers. However, the "negative proton energy" that his body had absorbed in the Command Center's explosion prevented him from taking the powers. Instead, Jason, the former Red Ranger (who, being nowhere near the Command Center at the time of its explosion, was a safe choice), received the powers.
Billy was last seen to be suffering from accelerated aging because the regenerator he used to restore his proper age had a side effect. To counter this, he traveled to Aquitar for a cure from their Eternal Falls (analogous to the Fountain of Youth), and opted to remain there with Cestria, a female Aquitian with whom he had fallen in love.
Dino Thunder
Billy was featured in a chronicle of Power Ranger history compiled by Tommy Oliver shortly after he formed the Dino Rangers, which was found by the nascent Ranger team in the Dino Lab. TV STORY-Legacy of Power A photo of Billy with his original Ranger team was later found by Kira Ford while helping Tommy. TV STORY-Bully for Ethan
Super Megaforce
Billy and the other Mighty Morphin Power Rangers returned as part of the army of Legendary Rangers led by Tommy that helped the Mega Rangers defeat the Armada once and for all, fighting in a huge battle against hundreds of X Borgs and dozens of Bruisers. It is not explained how he returned to Earth from Aquitar, possibly by the same teleportation that the Aquitians used. He returned to Aquitar after the battle. It is unconfirmed how he reclaimed his old Blue Ranger powers. TV STORY-Legendary Battle
Beast Morphers
Billy responded to Jason's signal and returned alongside his fellow Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as part of the Legendary Dino Rangers army. When Evox summoned his massive Chimerazord, his team joined in summoning the Megazord and aiding in its defeat. With Evox on the run again, the teams departed. Billy went back into his own dimension and, even though it's not officially stated, he probably returned to Aquitar. TV STORY-Grid Connection
Family
- William - Ancestor TV STORY-Wild West Rangers
- Mr. Cranston - Father TV STORY-Return of an Old Friend
- Mrs. Cranston - Mother TV STORY-Return of an Old Friend
- Unknown name - Uncle (mentioned) TV STORY-Crystal of Nightmares
- Unknown name - Cousin (mentioned) TV STORY-Scavenger Hunt
- Cestria - Possible Wife
Ranger Forms
As The Blue Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Also retroactively known as Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger or Blue Mighty Morphin Ranger (unofficial titles). During Season 3, his suit changed slightly, showing the Wolf Ninja Coin in his Morpher, rather than the Triceratops Power Coin.
Zords
Arsenal
- Wrist Communicator
- Power Morpher
- Triceratops Power Coin
- Wolf Ninja Coin
- Blade Blaster
- Power Lance
- Blue Battle Bike
- Blue Shark Cycle
Appearances: MMPR S1 Episodes 1-15, 17-60, MMPR S2 Episodes 1-21, 23-38, 40-43, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, MMPR S3 Episodes 1-4, 6-15, 18, 20-24, 26-33, SM Episodes 20 & LBEV, BM S2 Episode 13
Billy experimented and developed a new prototype Ranger combat suit design with the help of Alpha 1 and operated it in Command Center simulations for tests. This Ranger suit is fully armor-plated and is equipped with strength enhancements greater than that of his normal Ranger suit, short-range jet propulsion for flight, and deployable wrist-mounted Horn Chain weapons based in design on similar ones equipped on his respective Zord.
Despite its impressive features, Zordon forbids its use in the field because of technical glitches such as a critical failure of the jet propulsion systems and a need to put the safety of his Rangers above all else. The suit was later critically damaged after Alpha 5 used it to distract Alpha 1 long enough for the Megazord in Tank Mode to fire on the evil robot, the damage rendering the suit unusable until it can be repaired.
As The Blue Ninja Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Arsenal
Techniques
Underground MovementAppearances: MMPR S3 Episodes 6, 8-10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28
When the Blue Ranger dons metallic armor, the blue in his suit is metallized while the whites are coated in light silver. In this form he can execute high speed martial arts moves with added metal-like impact.
Appearances: MMPR S3 Episodes 29-33
While on the planet Breel, Billy's power was transferred to Kimberly and received Zack's power to become the Black Ranger due to the planet's unique environmental properties. While in the black spectrum of power, Billy's personality changed a bit as a side effect, becoming braver and stronger.[3]
Arsenal
In the episode Switching Places, Billy & Kimberly switch bodies.
Zords
Arsenal
- Wrist Communicator
- Power Morpher
- Pteradactyl Power Coin
Appearances: MMPR Episode 16
When his ability to use his Ranger powers were disrupted by the Shredder, Billy gave his Morpher to Leonardo to use and donned ninja streetwear to help fight the Foot Clan. Despite being titled as a "Ranger", Billy's abilities are nowhere near as strong as his morphed form and are on par with how he is unmorphed.
Arsenal
- Bo Staff
Morph and Roll Call
Behind The Scenes
Portrayal
- The character was played by David Yost in both the unaired pilot and the series. His final appearance as Billy was in the second part of the two part episode "King for a Day." The identities of both the actor who played elderly Billy in the two part episode "Rangers of Two Worlds" and the voice actor who delivered his goodbye message in the part II of that episode are unknown since only Yost was credited despite his absence. Billy also appears in the video game Power Rangers: Super Legends alongside some of his Ranger teammates and was voiced by Brian Donovan.
- In Super Sentai footage from Zyuranger, his suit actor was Shoji Hachisuka (蜂須賀 昭二 Hachisuka Shoji). In US footage, his suit actors are David Wald, Hien Nguyen, and Danny Wayne Stallcup.
Departure
- Billy's departure remains the most controversial exit in the show's history. Yost last played Billy in the episode "King for a Day" before leaving under suspicious circumstances with an unknown actor playing him in "Rangers of Two Worlds" and an uncredited voice actor doing his voice during his goodbye message. According to Saban themselves, Yost left due to disputes over thier contract and pay similarly to the events surrounding "The Power Transfer." However, the more commonly accepted explanation is that Yost left as a result of homophobic remarks allegedly made by the behind-the-scenes crew (Yost being openly gay), with the explanation from Saban being thought of as sugar coating.
Legendary Ranger Devices
The Blue Mighty Morphin Ranger Key is Billy's personal Ranger Key. This key along with the majority of the Core Ranger Keys are seen lining the Command Center's interior walls. This key is mainly used by Noah Carver (Super Megaforce Blue) who uses it to fight as the Blue Mighty Morphin Ranger.
- When the Super Mega Rangers became the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers while fighting Matacore. TV STORY-Samurai Surprise
- When the Super Mega Rangers became the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers while fighting against Invidious and his X Borgs. TV STORY-Love is in the Air
As part of SDCC 2015, Bandai released an exclusive Dino Charge Mighty Morphin' Charger set with each Dino Charger depicting four pictures. In Mighty Morphin' Blue's case, it featured his Ranger form, the MMPR title, the Triceratops Dinozord, and the Power Lance.
MMPR interactive CD-ROM
- Billy's birthday was given as April 1, making him an Aries.
- Billy's birthplace was given as Chicago, Illinois.
MMPR fan club video
- Billy said he tried to use his mind over muscle in his normal state, and even when fighting Putties, he wouldd try to outsmart them to make them injure or defeat themselves; if he had to get physical, he would do it only as a last resort.
Appearances
- File:Icon-mmpr.pngMighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 1)
- Episode 1: Day of the Dumpster
- Episode 2: High Five
- Episode 3: Teamwork
- Episode 4: A Pressing Engagement
- Episode 5: Different Drum
- Episode 6: Food Fight
- Episode 7: Big Sisters
- Episode 8: I, Eye Guy
- Episode 9: For Whom the Bell Trolls
- Episode 10: Happy Birthday, Zack
- Episode 11: No Clowning Around
- Episode 12: Power Ranger Punks
- Episode 13: Peace, Love and Woe
- Episode 14: Foul Play in the Sky
- Episode 15: Dark Warrior
- Episode 16: Switching Places
- Episode 17: Green with Evil Part I: Out Of Control
- Episode 18: Green with Evil Part II: Jason's Battle
- Episode 19: Green with Evil Part III: The Rescue
- Episode 20: Green with Evil Part IV: Eclipsing Megazord
- Episode 21: Green with Evil Part V: Breaking The Spell
- Episode 22: The Trouble with Shellshock
- Episode 23: Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Episode 24: The Spit Flower
- Episode 25: Life's a Masquerade
- Episode 26: Gung Ho!
- Episode 27: Wheel of Misfortune
- Episode 28: Island of Illusion, Part I
- Episode 29: Island of Illusion, Part II
- Episode 30: The Rockstar
- Episode 31: Calamity Kimberly
- Episode 32: A Star is Born
- Episode 33: The Yolk's on You!
- Episode 34: The Green Candle, Part I
- Episode 35: The Green Candle, Part II
- Episode 36: Birds of a Feather
- Episode 37: Clean-Up Club
- Episode 38: A Bad Reflection on You
- Episode 39: Doomsday Part I
- Episode 40: Doomsday Part II
- Episode 41: Rita's Seed of Evil
- Episode 42: A Pig Surprise
- Episode 43: Something Fishy
- Episode 44: Lions & Blizzards
- Episode 45: Crystal of Nightmares
- Episode 46: To Flea or Not to Flee
- Episode 47: Reign of the Jellyfish
- Episode 48: Plague of the Mantis
- Episode 49: Return of an Old Friend Part I
- Episode 50: Return of an Old Friend Part II
- Episode 51: Grumble Bee
- Episode 52: Two Heads are Better than One
- Episode 53: Fowl Play
- Episode 54: Trick or Treat
- Episode 55: Second Chance
- Episode 56: On Fins and Needles
- Episode 57: Enter... The Lizzinator
- Episode 58: Football Season
- Episode 59: Mighty Morphin' Mutants
- Episode 60: An Oyster Stew
- File:Icon-mmpr.pngMighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 2)
- Episode 1: The Mutiny, Part I
- Episode 2: The Mutiny, Part II
- Episode 3: The Mutiny, Part III
- Episode 4: The Wanna-Be Ranger
- Episode 5: Putty on the Brain
- Episode 6: Bloom of Doom
- Episode 7: The Green Dream
- Episode 8: The Power Stealer
- Episode 9: The Beetle Invasion
- Episode 10: Welcome to Venus Island
- Episode 11: The Song Of Guitardo
- Episode 12: Green No More, Part I
- Episode 13: Green No More, Part II
- Episode 14: Missing Green
- Episode 15: Orchestral Maneuvers in the Park
- Episode 16: Beauty and the Beast
- Episode 17: White Light, Part I
- Episode 18: White Light, Part II
- Episode 19: Two for One
- Episode 20: Opposites Attract
- Episode 21: Zedd's Monster Mash
- Episode 22: The Ninja Encounter, Part I
- Episode 23: The Ninja Encounter, Part II
- Episode 24: The Ninja Encounter, Part III
- Episode 25: A Monster of Global Proportions
- Episode 26: Zedd Waves
- Episode 27: The Power Transfer, Part I
- Episode 28: The Power Transfer, Part II
- Episode 29: Goldar's Vice-Versa
- Episode 30: Mirror of Regret
- Episode 31: When is a Ranger Not a Ranger?
- Episode 32: Rocky Just Wants to Have Fun
- Episode 33: Lights, Camera, Action
- Episode 34: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire
- Episode 35: Scavenger Hunt
- Episode 36: The Great Bookala Escape
- Episode 37: Forever Friends
- Episode 38: A Reel Fish Story
- Episode 39: Rangers Back in Time, Part I
- Episode 40: Rangers Back in Time, Part II
- Episode 41: The Wedding, Part I
- Episode 42: The Wedding, Part II
- Episode 43: The Wedding, Part III
- Episode 44: Return of the Green Ranger, Part I
- Episode 45: Return of the Green Ranger, Part II
- Episode 46: Return of the Green Ranger, Part III
- Episode 47: Best Man for the Job
- Episode 48: Storybook Rangers, Part I
- Episode 49: Storybook Rangers, Part II
- Episode 50: Wild West Rangers, Part I
- Episode 51: Wild West Rangers, Part II
- Episode 52: Blue Ranger Gone Bad
- File:Icon-mmpr.pngMighty Morphin Power Rangers (Season 3)
- Episode 1: A Friend in Need, Part I
- Episode 2: A Friend in Need, Part II
- Episode 3: A Friend in Need, Part III
- Episode 4: Ninja Quest, Part I
- Episode 5: Ninja Quest, Part II
- Episode 6: Ninja Quest, Part III
- Episode 7: Ninja Quest, Part IV
- Episode 8: A Brush with Destiny
- Episode 9: Passing the Lantern
- Episode 10: Wizard for a Day
- Episode 11: Fourth Down and Long
- Episode 12: Stop the Hate Master, Part I
- Episode 13: Stop the Hate Master, Part II
- Episode 14: Final Face-Off
- Episode 15: The Potion Notion
- Episode 16: I'm Dreaming of a White Ranger
- Episode 17: A Ranger Catastrophe, Part I
- Episode 18: A Ranger Catastrophe, Part II
- Episode 19: Changing of the Zords, Part I
- Episode 20: Changing of the Zords, Part II
- Episode 21: Changing of the Zords, Part III
- Episode 22: Follow that Cab!
- Episode 23: A Different Shade of Pink, Part I
- Episode 24: A Different Shade of Pink, Part II
- Episode 25: A Different Shade of Pink, Part III
- Episode 26: Rita's Pita
- Episode 27: Another Brick in the Wall
- Episode 28: A Chimp in Charge
- Episode 29: Master Vile and the Metallic Armor, Part I
- Episode 30: Master Vile and the Metallic Armor, Part II
- Episode 31: Master Vile and the Metallic Armor, Part III
- Episode 32: The Sound of Dischordia
- Episode 33: Rangers in Reverse
- Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers
- Episode 1: Alien Rangers of Aquitar, Part 1
- Episode 2: Alien Rangers of Aquitar, Part 2
- Episode 3: Climb Every Fountain
- Episode 4: The Alien Trap
- Episode 5: Attack of the 60' Bulk
- Episode 6: Water You Thinking?
- Episode 7: Along Came a Spider
- Episode 8: Sowing the Seas of Evil
- Episode 9: Hogday Afternoon, Part I
- Episode 10/Finale: Hogday Afternoon, Part II
- File:Icon-zeo.png Power Rangers Zeo
- Episode 1: A Zeo Beginning, Part I
- Episode 2: A Zeo Beginning, Part II
- Episode 3: The Shooting Star
- Episode 4: Target Rangers
- Episode 5: For Cryin' Out Loud
- Episode 6: Rangers in the Outfield
- Episode 7: Every Dog Has His Day
- Episode 8: The Puppet Blaster
- Episode 9: Invasion of the Ranger Snatchers
- Episode 10: Graduation Blues
- Episode 13: Mean Screen
- Episode 14: Mr. Billy's Wild Ride
- Episode 15: There's No Business Like Snow Business, Part I
- Episode 16: There's No Business Like Snow Business, Part II
- Episode 17: There's No Business Like Snow Business, Part III
- Episode 18: Inner Spirit
- Episode 19: Challenges
- Episode 20: Found and Lost
- Episode 21: Brother, Can You Spare an Arrowhead?
- Episode 22: Trust in Me
- Episode 23: It Came From Angel Grove
- Episode 24: Bulk Fiction
- Episode 25: Song Sung Yellow
- Episode 26: Game of Honor
- Episode 27: The Power of Gold
- Episode 28: A Small Problem
- Episode 30: Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise
- Episode 31: Rock-A-Bye Power Rangers
- Episode 32: Do I Know You?
- Episode 33: Revelations of Gold
- Episode 34: A Golden Homecoming
- Episode 35: Mondo's Last Stand
- Episode 36: Bomber in the Summer
- Episode 37: Scent of a Weasel
- Episode 38: The Lore of Auric
- Episode 39: The Ranger Who Came in from the Gold
- Episode 40: The Joke's on Blue
- Episode 42: King for a Day, Part I
- Episode 43: King for a Day, Part II
- Episode 47: Rangers of Two Worlds, Part I
- Episode 48: Rangers of Two Worlds, Part II
- File:Icon-dt.pngPower Rangers Dino Thunder
- Episode 4: Legacy of Power (archive footage only)
- Episode 18: Bully for Ethan (photo only)
- Power Rangers Super Megaforce (morphed only)
- Episode 20/Finale: Legendary Battle
- Power Rangers Beast Morphers (season 2)
- Villains Special: Making Bad (archive footage only)
- Episode 13: Grid Connection (morphed only)
Appearances in other media
- Billy appears as a playable character in Power Rangers Legacy Wars, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (video game), Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Sega CD) (archive footage), Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (video game) (Sega Genesis version), Power Rangers: Super Legends
- An alternate version of Billy with a slightly altered history appears in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Mega Battle.
- An alternate version of Billy with an altered history appears in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Boom! Studios).
Multiverse
Alter ego | Designation | Dimension |
---|---|---|
Billy Cranston (Tom Silardi) | Bio-Rhythm Blue | Bio-Man (1986) |
Billy (David Yost) | Blue Ranger | Lost Episode (1992) |
Billy Cranston (David Yost) | Blue Ranger (I) | TV series |
Billy (David Yost) | Blue Ranger (II) | TV series |
Billy Blake | Blue Ranger | Hamilton Comics |
Billy (David Yost) | Blue Ranger | MMPR: The Movie (1995) |
Billllly | Blue Meower Ranger | |
William "Billy" Cranston (RJ Cyler) | Blue Ranger (II) | Power Rangers Movie (2017) |
Billy Cranston | Blue Ranger | Boom! Studios |
Billy Cranston | Blue Ranger | Boom! Studios |
Notes
- Billy is the only original Power Ranger to remain for the entire MMPR series.
- Billy received a tribute in the credits of Rangers of Two Worlds part II.
- Billy is the only Ranger to keep a single power for three seasons without giving it away or switching colors, and the only original Ranger to not be replaced, as he stepped down from his position at the start of Zeo.
- Billy is the only Ranger to retire from being a Ranger, but not immediately leave the show.
- Because of the absence of Yost, stock footage of Billy was used for his departure and his character was voiced by someone else. He was also the last of the original Power Ranger team to leave the show. Also of note is that backstage, David Yost left the show on bad terms, causing the writers to change the Turbo movie's plot so that the Rangers created the Turbo powers themselves with Alpha 5's assistance rather than by Billy himself.
- David Yost's departure from Power Rangers occurred as a result of drama behind the scenes. Yost, at the time struggling with his homosexuality, was frequently harassed and insulted by the show staff. Unable to reconcile, Yost left the show and was written off without involvement in filming the episodes that would remove Billy for good.
- Years later, Yost managed to reconcile with his former co-stars, including Austin St. John, Walter Emanuel Jones, Amy Jo Johnson, and Jason David Frank, the last of which had frequently pranked Yost on set. He was also present for Thuy Trang's funeral after her passing after a car accident.
- According to IMDb, Walter Jones was originally cast as Billy. However, when he auditioned, he said he thought he would be more recognizable as the Black Ranger, so he was re-cast.
- Billy frequently dressed in clothing that was oversized or otherwise baggy or frumpy, in an effort to cover David Yost's well-defined physique due to him being a gymnast (as he was supposed to be a nerd, and thus not entirely athletic). This effort was gradually dropped by the second season of MMPR.
- During the 2010 reboot of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, a toy version of Billy was seen with the Dragon Shield, though Billy never wore Tommy's Dragon Shield in the show.
- Billy, along with Tommy, Adam, Kimberly, Rocky, and Jason are the only Rangers to appear in more than 100 episodes.
- Billy is the first Ranger to wear glasses.
- Billy is the first Blue Ranger to not join his team in the next installment.
- It is said that actor Bryan Cranston was the inspiration for Billy's last name.[4] However, the name was already used in the Bioman pilot.
- Judd Lynn had originally intended for Billy to be the true identity of the Phantom Ranger, however, this plot was eventually dropped.
- In the Bio-Man pilot, his name was shared with the counterpart to Blue3, and rather than super-intelligent, he was a "heartthrob with a body of steel".
- Billy is a playable character in Power Rangers Legacy Wars.
- Despite rumors that Billy was originally meant to be the Gold Ranger, David Yost has since confirmed that there were no plans for this.[5]
See Also
- Etoffe Tribe Knight Dan - Super Sentai counterpart in Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger. See comparison page.
- Shoji of the Heavenly Gravity Star - Super Sentai counterpart in Gosei Sentai Dairanger. See comparison page.
- Saizou - Super Sentai counterpart in Ninja Sentai Kakuranger. See comparison page.
- Akira Shinmei - The first Sentai Blue
- Chief Counsellor Naoyuki Miura - Super Sentai counterpart in Chouriki Sentai Ohranger. See comparison page.
- Raita Ooishi - The first Super Sentai wearing glasses.
- Mika Koizumi - Sentai Ranger with a similar "departure" to Billy both in-universe and real life
- William - His great-great-great-grandfather, the Blue Wild West Ranger.
- Tanya Sloan - His successor as the 5th member in Power Rangers Zeo.
- Rocky DeSantos - His successor as the blue ranger in Power Rangers Zeo.
References
References
- ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/2629630/mighty-morphin-power-rangers-graphic-novel-reveal/
- ↑ https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/18/comic-con-the-further-adventures-of-the-mighty-morphin-power-rangers
- ↑ http://news.tokunation.com/2018/08/19/power-morphicon-boom-studio-reveals-introducing-the-solar-ranger-54850
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/powerrangers/photos/a.164014530293037.41164.152452064782617/1326809454013533/?type=3&theater
- ↑ https://twitter.com/David_Yost/status/981018703545253888
Footnotes
Blue Rangers |
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Identities Billy Cranston • Cestro • Rocky DeSantos • Justin Stewart • T.J. Johnson • Kai Chen • Chad Lee • Lucas Kendall • Max Cooper • Tori Hanson • Ethan James • Schuyler Tate • Bridge Carson • Madison Rocca • Dax Lo • Theo Martin • Flynn McAllistair • Kevin • Noah Carver • Koda • Preston Tien • Ravi Shaw • Ollie Akana Billy Cranston (1995 movie) • Billy Cranston (World of the Coinless) • Serge • Cenozoic Blue Ranger • Billy Cranston (2017 movie) • Eddie Banks • Lina Song • Nikolai Chukarin • Chun-Li • Blue Emissary Secondary Rangers Power Sets |
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